Notes on Titus 2

Paul spoke of right relationships and right behavior many times in his letter.  His pastoral letters to Timothy and Titus particularly emphasized the teaching role of pastors for the various groups within the flock.  In this case, the word "sober" appears three times in describing how Christians should behave.  The Greek word means "circumspect", a term not often used in modern English.  The best definition is that we should look around us, be aware of our surroundings, and act accordingly.  Not only are we witnesses to the world of Christ, but the world also witnesses what we do and say.  So do others in the church.  Those who are more spiritually mature should serve as examples to younger ones, just as older women here are urged to teach younger women to be good mothers and wives.

So what does it mean to be a good example, or model?  We all know the kinds of negative behavior we should avoid; professing Christians who are drunkards, greedy, gluttonous, gossips, or liars bring discredit to the Lord and to his church.  If we concentrate on being what we should, though, it won't be a question just of avoiding negative behavior.  It all begins and ends with godly love, always looking to the needs of others, and trying to meet them.  We must first recognize when needs exist; we can't look at the outward facade people offer, and assume they have no needs or hurts.  Material needs we're more likely to know about, and no one should have to ask us to try to meet those when we have the resources and opportunity to do so.  As James says, it does no good to tell someone to go in peace, and be fed and clothed, when we are able ourselves to provide food and clothing (James 2:15-16).

Other needs are not so easily recognized, or met.  People often face loneliness, depression, abuse, self loathing, grief, and other situations as varied as life itself.  We can't be all things to all people, and God doesn't give us the gifts and tools to meet every kind of need.  What we can do, though, is, first of all, pray specifically and consistently.  We can offer encouragement, counsel when it's appropriate, and friendship free of strings or expectations.  Love and kindness should always be tempered by discretion; too many problems can arise when a man offers emotional help to an unrelated woman, or a woman to a man.  Like support groups out in the world, the church should offer ministries for different age groups, and for people in similar circumstances, such as newly married couples, or new mothers, or recovering drug addicts.  If no such group exists, and the need is there, we should have enough confidence in our pastor and our Lord to offer to begin one, if the Lord so leads.  Just as Titus was told to be a pattern, or model, and as our pastors should be, we also as mature Christians can be a pattern others can follow.

If we are not in positions of authority, as most of us are not, we can still offer our best in our situation or employment.  That includes giving due respect, and Christian love, to those in authority over us.  Not only is that a good witness for our faith to our employers, especially if the person involved doesn't merit or deserve such respect, but it serves as a good witness to those around us as well.  That deference does not extend to committing sin in the course of doing our job, nor does it extend to condoning or excusing such behavior in the one in authority.

We don't behave well just to look good in the eyes of others, or to please them; the only one we really need to please is God.  Our perspective goes far beyond just the necessities of the day to eternity.  Our goal in living a righteous life before others is not to gain their approval, but to provide opportunity to witness for Christ.  This passage says the grace of God, his unmerited gift, that brings salvation has appeared to all men.  Jesus Christ is that gift, and we are called to share that good news with all the world.  We do live in a way that will be a witness and testimony to others, but we live to please God, using Christ as our model.  We live with the certain promise of everlasting live, and of Chris's return to this world to receive his own.  We are people set apart for God, and for his use.  Before he can use us, we must be cleansed from the stain of sin, living not as we did before, but letting Christ live in and through us.  We don't do good works to gain what we could never have but by God's grace, eternal life, but good works should follow, just as the cars of a train follow after the engine.  That engine is faith, and the fuel is love.  When our pastors and teachers instruct us, those are the kinds of things we need to hear, not because they know, but because God does.  We don't need men sure of their own wisdom, but sure of God's wisdom.